PVC enclosures

I was wondering if anyone has used or currently houses their bloods/adult bloods in a PVC like enclosure such as that from boaphile or animalplastics? What are your opinions on the two? Are there any likes dislikes between them? Also what heat source(s) do you use; UTH, radiant heat panels etc?

I'm just curious because I plan on moving in this direction for enclosures in the not to distant future and was looking for some feedback. Thanks!!

boaphiles.

I really don't think you can go wrong with AP, Boaphile, or Constrictors NW.

I myself am choosing to go with Sentec Cages

Cages for these animals....

Animal Plastics T-8's

Racks for these snakes....

Animal Plastics VE175 racks

Id never even think about buying Boaphile stuff solely on them being so thin and from the horror stories I've heard of them bowing over time. Animal Plastics uses 1/2" stuff and its SOLID without being heavy at all.

Ive used Radiant Heat panels and HATED them with a PASSION.

Flexwatt belly heat or radiant side heat that AP uses would be your best bet.

Our cages are the old pvc neodesha's and they work well..When buying new we will most likely go with Ed Lilley's/ Pro line cages made from high density polyethelene,HDPE, an uncolored and less brittle plastic than pvc..Flexwatt for the heat which comes with the stack packs..Personal preference..

I now have AP T-10's and a boaphile... I prefer the T-10's because of the more vertical space. I feel like in a T-10 I can get the snake out for maintanence really easily and the extra vertical room allows this. In my boaphile I feel like, if I were to be attempting to get an aggessive
snake out(which none of mine are) it would be a nightmare. But I do adore the boaphile drop down single door for getting in and out.
So it all depends on what your goals are and you comfort level.
Rob

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Originally Posted by 2kdime

Ive used Radiant Heat panels and HATED them with a PASSION.

Flexwatt belly heat or radiant side heat that AP uses would be your best bet.

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Flexxwatt/radiant side heat will only bump up the basking spot though right? Like if the rooms ambients were 72ish, flexxwatt or the side heat alone wouldn't be enough to heat the entire enclosure?

Dennis

Flexwatt belly heat wouldnt do a thing....

Flexwatt Dual Side Radiant Heat from AP, will definitely raise the temperatures inside the tubs.

Now 72 might be a bit cold....

But it WILL help raise the temps in the tubs overall.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

Flexxwatt/radiant side heat will only bump up the basking spot though right? Like if the rooms ambients were 72ish, flexxwatt or the side heat alone wouldn't be enough to heat the entire enclosure?

Dennis

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Boaphiles sag and bow over time.

Visions sag and bow over time.

....and APs do too. I have several of them and have had to modify them with aluminum braces to reverse the sagging. The sagging was getting really bad on my 6' cages - up to 1/2".

I don't keep bloods, but I do keep some heavy colubrids in them (9 lbs). The weight of the snake doesn't change whether the bow or not - I've had AP cages with much lighter animals bow just as bad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 2kdime

Cages for these animals....

Animal Plastics T-8's

Id never even think about buying Boaphile stuff solely on them being so thin and from the horror stories I've heard of them bowing over time. Animal Plastics uses 1/2" stuff and its SOLID without being heavy at all.

Ive used Radiant Heat panels and HATED them with a PASSION.

Flexwatt belly heat or radiant side heat that AP uses would be your best bet.

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Have you had any problems with the T-8s bowing at all? Also what is it about the radiant heat panels that you didn't like? You don't like them as a sole heat source, or just in general?

One more thing, I'm not familiar with the radiant side heat, is that like a panel or more like a UTH style on the side??

Thanks for the help, its great to hear from people with experience on the issues :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikeyP

One more thing, I'm not familiar with the radiant side heat, is that like a panel or more like a UTH style on the side??

Thanks for the help, its great to hear from people with experience on the issues :)

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Yes, its flexwatt ran down the side of the rack, under the bottom tub, and back up the other side.

My shortie is currently in a tub, but I've got my ball pythons in an AP cages, and I LOVE them! Heat and humidity are both very easy to control and maintain, they are easy to clean, they look great, and the BPs appreciate the security of 3 walls while they can still see what's going on. I can't wait until I move my BST into a T10 (which will hopefully be this spring)!

As for heat, I've heard mixed things about RHPs. I know plenty of people who rave about them, but I've also heard some negative reviews. I use flexwatt with a Johnsons' t'stat; as far as heating for PVCs goes, it's the cheapest, and it works just fine.

I know people said they have experienced sagging of the bottom. Has anyone experienced sagging with 4 ft one? either by animal plastics or the pro line? Also do the bottom of these have a lip on them so if you had aspen etc in there it will not wanna just fall out? Thanks!

Sorry, I've only been using AP cages for the past few months. I haven't noticed any sagging, but that doesn't say much.

With AP cages you can either get swinging or sliding glass(/plexiglas) doors. Either way, the cages come with a thing separating the sliding doors (if that's what you choose) and the inside of the cage. It's difficult to explain.

Here's a pic of my AP T10 (sliding glass doors).

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...l/DSC08185.jpg

So you could probably pile 3" or more of substrate without any getting in the sliding door tracks.

Sometimes called a litter dam, but gives structural integrity to the cage to keep it from changing shape...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikeyP

I know people said they have experienced sagging of the bottom. Has anyone experienced sagging with 4 ft one? either by animal plastics or the pro line? Also do the bottom of these have a lip on them so if you had aspen etc in there it will not wanna just fall out? Thanks!

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Providing you have them on a level base - the tops.

I have seen warped bottoms on other people's APs - mine, however, have not. I have not seen sagging on Proline cages.

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Originally Posted by Tim Mead

Our cages are the old pvc neodesha's and they work well..When buying new we will most likely go with Ed Lilley's/ Pro line cages made from high density polyethelene,HDPE, an uncolored and less brittle plastic than pvc..Flexwatt for the heat which comes with the stack packs..Personal preference..

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Ed's cages are top notch...He doesn't quite get the shout-outs like he deserves, but the HDPE are rock solid and very fairly priced too...

I like the APs myself. I have two T10s and I plan on getting two more when I have enough saved up. My blood really loves his. Here's a pic.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...pant/012-6.jpg
If I had the money though, I would love some Sentec cages!

nice set-up Oroborous. I like those T10 cages

I have had a T10 for about 2 years now and it doesn't have any sagging. I would definitely recommend AP to others.

We are looking at getting three T20's and two T5's, all hinged doors. I have heard good things about them and they look also really nice - well crafted.

Wow...those Sentecs ARE nice. No sagging with those babies! I notice no pricing, you have to contact them. LOL...don't think I'll even bother!

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Originally Posted by mrmertz

Wow...those Sentecs ARE nice. No sagging with those babies! I notice no pricing, you have to contact them. LOL...don't think I'll even bother!

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I believe a 6 foot is around $600 and 8 foot is $700. They are dividable so basically paying around $300 a cage.